Item 5: An Ordinance Concerning the Police Commission and Amending Sections 2.013 and 2.368 or the Eugene Code

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Public Hearing: An Ordinance Concerning the Police Commission and Amending Sections 2.013 and 2.368 or the Eugene Code Meeting Date: October 15, 2007 Agenda Item Number: 5 Department: Police Department Staff Contact: Linda Phelps www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-6308 ISSUE STATEMENT This is a public hearing regarding revisions to the Eugene Code related to the Police Commission. The ordinance would reduce the number of members of the commission from 13 to 12 and would formalize the relationship between the police auditor and the Police Commission. In addition, the role of the commission member appointed from the Civilian Review Board is also clarified. BACKGROUND As part of its 2007-2008 work plan, the Police Commission agreed to re-examine its role and structure in relation to the Auditor’s Office and Civilian Review Board to streamline processes and promote compatibility between the three entities. Council approved this work plan item on July 23, 2007 and asked the commission to address three issues in the Police Commission ordinance. 1) Discontinuation of the member recommended by the police chief. 2) The addition of language to the ordinance formalizing the relationship between the police auditor and Police Commission on matters of complaint trends that the auditor believes indicate a review of police practices or training methods may be warranted. 3) The addition of clarifying language regarding the role of the member appointed from the Civilian Review Board to the commission. At its July 23 work session, the City Council indicated support for a change to the ordinance to replace references to the “Citizen Review Board” to the “Civilian Review Board.” A discussion then followed regarding the replacement of all uses of the word “citizen” in the ordinance by another term. This option has been provided as an alternative choice for Council consideration. The proposed amendments to the ordinance (Attachment A) also reflect the Council’s desire to change the word “may” to “shall” when referring to periodic reports made by the Police Auditor to the Police Commission. As a matter of timing, the City Council is scheduled to appoint new members to the Police Commission at its October 22, 2007 meeting. Therefore, action on this ordinance has also been scheduled for October 22, the next meeting following this public hearing, so that the members appointed to the commission will fill 12 rather than 13 positions. RELATED CITY POLICIES Two of the City Council adopted vision and goals are relevant to this item: 1) Safe Community – a community where people feel safe, valued and welcomed.